1. (1) The Commonwealth of Kentucky shall recognize a decree, judgment, or final order of adoption issued by a court or other governmental authority with appropriate jurisdiction in a foreign country when the child to be adopted has been approved for United States citizenship, or as otherwise provided by federal law.
2. (2) Upon presentation of an original decree, judgment, or final order of adoption issued by a court or other governmental authority with appropriate jurisdiction in a foreign country, the secretary or his or her designee shall issue, within thirty (30) days, a certified notice that the foreign adoption is registered in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. The secretary or his or her designee may require a translated copy if the original decree, judgment, or final order is not in English. The cabinet shall maintain all records and notices of foreign adoptions in a manner similar to other adoption records.
3. (3) A petition for adoption under KRS 199.470 shall be required for a child born outside the United States without a decree, judgment, or final order of adoption issued by a court or other governmental authority with appropriate jurisdiction in a foreign country, or for any child born outside of the United States who does not qualify for United States citizenship upon entry into the United States.

Effective: June 20, 2005

History: Created 2005 Ky. Acts ch. 68, ch. 1, effective June 20, 2005; and ch. 175, sec. 4, effective June 20, 2005. Legislative Research Commission Note (5/20/2005). This new section of the Kentucky Revised Statutes was enacted by both 2005 Ky. Acts chs. 68 and 175.